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Schwartz & Daibes article
Posted By: TRFKANF
Date: Wednesday, 11 June 2003, at 12:20 p.m.
Ms. Fasbach has been quite busy. However, I would have liked paragraph's 10-11 moved up to paragraph 3 or 4:
Planner's spouse defends work with developer
Wednesday, June 11, 2003
By LAURA FASBACH
STAFF WRITER
EDGEWATER - The husband of Councilwoman and Planning Board member Lois Fein defended his position Tuesday as a rental agent for a luxury apartment building in Cresskill owned by Edgewater-based developer Fred Daibes.
John Schwartz railed against critics at a Borough Council meeting, saying that by accusing his wife of having a conflict of interest, they were going after his livelihood, and that he wasn't going to stay quiet.
"There was nothing, and I repeat nothing, underhanded about this deal," Schwartz said, reading from a statement. "There is a sign on the property with my name that did not have to be there if I or Lois was trying to hide anything."
Schwartz, a real estate agent for Friedberg Properties in Englewood Cliffs, served as the listing agent for 23 of 75 units in a luxury apartment building in Cresskill owned by Daibes.
Daibes, whose Daibes Enterprises has transformed Edgewater's waterfront during the past two decades, frequently comes before the Planning Board for approvals. Fein, who has voted in favor of Daibes projects in the past, said she does not have a conflict of interest.
Councilwoman Mary Hogan said she is concerned not only about Fein's position on the Planning Board, but also because Fein serves as the president of AHOME, a not-for-profit housing group in town. Fein and the group are trying to create affordable condominiums for low- and middle-income families to buy.
The group has been considering two older buildings that Daibes owns on Undercliff Avenue. The developer has said he would give the buildings to AHOME if the transfer donation would satisfy his affordable housing obligation under the town's Mount Laurel housing plan. If the units don't count toward his obligation, Daibes has said he would fulfill it by giving nearby Fairview money to create affordable housing there.
Hogan said Fein should not vote on any matters involving Daibes now that she is aware that Fein's husband is a listing agent for the developer. On Monday, Valory Bardinas, who is running for council on a ticket with Hogan, complained to the Borough Council about the matter.
Citing state ethics laws, Bardinas said Fein and Schwartz had a conflict of interest because they are married, and that elected leaders cannot have financial relationships with people who come before the boards.
Schwartz said that he's earned about $12,000 from Daibes' building in Cresskill, receiving 25 percent of the average $2,000 rental fee or $500 per apartment. Schwartz, who recently became a real estate agent, said he approached Daibes and asked if he could serve as the listing agent because he wanted to gain experience.
"I would hope that Fred gave me the business, not because I'm Lois' husband, but because I know how to rent his apartments," Schwartz said, adding that in a small town, such as Edgewater, residents do business with people they know.
Fein, a Democrat, said she thought the criticism was entirely political. She said she fears her political opponents are striking out because they have differed on issues such as how the town should fulfill its affordable-housing requirements mandated by the state.
"I gain nothing out of being on AHOME," said Fein, who volunteers her time.
Daibes, who in recent months has been at the center of a few political spats, denied he was trying to buy a vote through Fein's husband.
Daibes, saying he did not want to get in the middle of a political battle among Borough Council members, said if he had to, he would cut his ties with Schwartz.
"I can't believe this is being brought up," Daibes said.
http://www.bergenrecord.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk1NCZmZ2JlbDdmN3ZxZWVFRXl5NjM4OTkxMiZ5cmlyeTdmNzE3Zjd2cWVlRUV5eTM=
Messages In This Thread
- Schwartz & Daibes article
TRFKANF -- Wednesday, 11 June 2003, at 12:20 p.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
Chris Tucci -- Wednesday, 11 June 2003, at 1:16 p.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
TRFKANF -- Wednesday, 11 June 2003, at 2:16 p.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
Susan Murphy -- Wednesday, 11 June 2003, at 3:38 p.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
Indy Jones -- Wednesday, 11 June 2003, at 6:01 p.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
TRFKANF -- Thursday, 12 June 2003, at 9:43 a.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
jim -- Thursday, 12 June 2003, at 7:42 a.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
TRFKANF -- Thursday, 12 June 2003, at 1:19 p.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
Indy Jones -- Thursday, 12 June 2003, at 2:17 p.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
Poppy -- Thursday, 12 June 2003, at 3:02 p.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
TRFKANF -- Thursday, 12 June 2003, at 3:32 p.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
Poppy -- Friday, 13 June 2003, at 10:51 a.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
TRFKANF -- Friday, 13 June 2003, at 12:43 p.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
neda rose -- Friday, 13 June 2003, at 1:09 p.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
TRFKANF -- Friday, 13 June 2003, at 1:38 p.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
Valory -- Friday, 13 June 2003, at 2:46 p.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
Susan Murphy -- Friday, 13 June 2003, at 6:26 p.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
Chris Tucci -- Friday, 13 June 2003, at 8:20 p.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
TRFKANF -- Tuesday, 17 June 2003, at 4:08 p.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
neda rose -- Friday, 13 June 2003, at 11:01 p.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
TRFKANF -- Friday, 13 June 2003, at 1:30 p.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
Valory -- Friday, 13 June 2003, at 2:43 p.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
jim -- Friday, 13 June 2003, at 9:42 p.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
TRFKANF -- Monday, 16 June 2003, at 11:53 a.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
Interested -- Thursday, 12 June 2003, at 4:16 p.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
TRFKANF -- Thursday, 12 June 2003, at 5:11 p.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
Interested -- Thursday, 12 June 2003, at 7:14 p.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
Poppy -- Friday, 13 June 2003, at 10:00 a.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
TRFKANF -- Friday, 13 June 2003, at 12:34 p.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
TRFKANF -- Friday, 13 June 2003, at 11:09 a.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
Susan Murphy -- Friday, 13 June 2003, at 6:20 p.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
TRFKANF -- Monday, 16 June 2003, at 11:47 a.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
Valory -- Friday, 13 June 2003, at 2:38 p.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
TRFKANF -- Friday, 13 June 2003, at 5:06 p.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
huh -- Thursday, 12 June 2003, at 5:20 p.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
jim -- Friday, 13 June 2003, at 7:00 a.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
Interested -- Friday, 13 June 2003, at 8:59 a.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
TRFKANF -- Friday, 13 June 2003, at 11:06 a.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
Chris Tucci -- Friday, 13 June 2003, at 9:00 a.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
TRFKANF -- Friday, 13 June 2003, at 2:36 p.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
TRFKANF -- Friday, 13 June 2003, at 10:53 a.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
Interested -- Thursday, 12 June 2003, at 5:41 p.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
TRFKANF -- Friday, 13 June 2003, at 10:37 a.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
Valory -- Friday, 13 June 2003, at 2:27 p.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
Susan Murphy -- Friday, 13 June 2003, at 6:13 p.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
valory -- Friday, 13 June 2003, at 2:23 p.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
Mary1973 -- Thursday, 12 June 2003, at 8:47 a.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
dani-X -- Thursday, 12 June 2003, at 2:21 p.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
TRFKANF -- Thursday, 12 June 2003, at 3:10 p.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
dani-X -- Thursday, 12 June 2003, at 5:09 p.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
TRFKANF -- Friday, 13 June 2003, at 10:15 a.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
dani-X -- Friday, 13 June 2003, at 12:50 p.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
TRFKANF -- Friday, 13 June 2003, at 1:34 p.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
dani-X -- Friday, 13 June 2003, at 2:11 p.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
TRFKANF -- Friday, 13 June 2003, at 2:30 p.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
dani-X -- Friday, 13 June 2003, at 3:30 p.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
Susan Murphy -- Friday, 13 June 2003, at 6:12 p.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
Valory -- Friday, 13 June 2003, at 2:21 p.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
TRFKANF -- Friday, 13 June 2003, at 3:12 p.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
Interested -- Friday, 13 June 2003, at 9:54 p.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
TRFKANF -- Monday, 16 June 2003, at 11:43 a.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
Interested -- Thursday, 12 June 2003, at 4:29 p.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
Interested -- Thursday, 12 June 2003, at 2:53 p.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
dani-X -- Thursday, 12 June 2003, at 5:05 p.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
Susan Murphy -- Friday, 13 June 2003, at 6:08 p.m.
- Re: Schwartz & Daibes article
Interested -- Friday, 13 June 2003, at 9:12 p.m.
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